Alexandria Township
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308
Minutes of the meeting of 3-09-2021
The annual meeting of Alexandria Township was held virtually on the 9th Day of March 2021.
Clerk Raisanen opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 8:00 PM.
Rod Eldevik nominated Bernie Van Zomeren as moderator for the meeting. Nominations ceased. A unanimous ballot was placed for Bernie Van Zomeren as moderator.
The meeting was turned over to Bernie Van Zomeren at 8:02 PM.
Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Jerry Wright, made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
MINUTES: Moderator Van Zomeren reported that the minutes from the 2020 Annual meeting had been posted on the Township Website since last year and no corrections were noted. Jerry Wright, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the 2020 annual meeting minutes as written. Motion carried.
CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk Raisanen reviewed the 2020 financial data for the township. Clerk Raisanen reviewed the statement of Receipts, Disbursements, and Balance for 2020. Total revenue for 2020 was $$958,175 vs disbursements of $$844,000. Total fund balance at the end of 2020 was $1,162,671. The 2020 approved budget was $979,163. Approximately $72,000 of CARES act revenue was received from the federal government which was spent to extend fiber broadband into an area of the township that was not served by high-speed internet. The approved budget for 2021 is $1,003,750 and the proposed budget for 2022 is $1,038,379. To support that budget, the town board recommended a levy increase of 8.5%.
Clerk Raisanen reported the township is anticipating some blacktop projects in future years. Alexandria Township, Hudson Township, and Douglas County have applied for a grant to improve 50th Ave. If received, the township will need to contribute funding to complete the project. The township is also expecting the repaving of Liberty Road, which will probably cost at least $500,000.
Clerk Raisanen reported that building activity in 2020 continued to be brisk.
Alan Roebke requested that Alexandria Township start inspecting rental properties within the township, similar to the City of Alexandria. He suggested that the township hire the city inspectors to do the inspections. Clerk Raisanen said that the only method the township would have authority to inspect rental properties is if the township approved an ordinance permitting inspections. Clerk Raisanen will review the City of Alexandria’s ordinance and reach out to LaGrand Township to inquire if they have an ordinance.
Rod Eldevik, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the Clerk’s report as presented. Motion carried.
Clerk Raisanen presented a proposed levy for the following amounts: General Revenue- $181,323, Road & Bridge- $221,223, Blacktop- $150,000, ALASD- 130,000, Snow & Weed- $67,157, Parks & Recreation- $4,000, Fire Protection- $53,129, Total recommended levy amount for 2021 is $806,833.
Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the levy for General Revenue in the amount of $181,323. Motion carried.
Jerry Wright, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the levy for Road and Bridge in the amount of $221,223. Motion carried.
Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Linda Dokken-McFann, made a motion to approve the levy for Blacktop in the amount of $150,000. Motion carried.
Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Dennis Butz, made a motion to approve the levy for ALASD in the amount of 130,000. Motion carried.
Rod Eldevik, seconded by Joel Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the levy for Snow and Weed in the amount of $67,157. Motion carried.
Jerry Wright, seconded by Joel Dahlheimer, made a motion to approve the levy for Parks and Recreation in the amount of $4,000. Motion carried.
Jerry Wright, seconded by Rod Eldevik, made a motion to approve the levy for Fire Protection in the amount of $53,129. Motion carried.
2022 MEETING DATE: Joel Dahlheimer, seconded by Linda Dokken-McFann, made a motion to set the 2022 annual township meeting for March 8, 2022 at 8:00 PM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Motion carried.
Clerk Raisanen reported Jeff Oberg had been re-elected to a three-year term as supervisor. He also reported 32 votes were cast.
Being no further business, Rod Eldevik made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM.
Submitted March 11, 2021 ___________________________ Gregg Raisanen, Clerk
Approved this _____ day of _________, 2021
_______________________________
Bernie Van Zomeren- Moderator